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Voters in Crimea overwhelmingly supported leaving Ukraine and joining Russia, officials said today, as more than 95 percent of referendum ballots counted so far supported such a move.

Half the ballots had been counted as of 4:30 p.m. ET, local election officials reported. Only 3.5 percent of ballots opposed joining Russia. Official results will be released Monday.

The vote came as Ukraine and Russia reached a truce in Crimea, according to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense and a base commander in Crimea.

The truce would last until March 21, the day Russia's parliament is set to decide on Crimea's annexation.

"Now it's clear that we'll become a part of Russia so they have to find some sort of peaceful solution," Yevpatoriya base commander Col. Andrey Matvienko told ABC News.

Russian Supporters, Protesters Await Crimea Vote

As the polls closed today, the White House, through a statement from its spokesman, Jay Carney, once again said, "[W]e reject the 'referendum' that took place today" in Crimea.

It warned that the "international community will not recognize the results of a poll administered under threats of violence and intimidation from a Russian military intervention."

In its statement, the White House repeated past lines on Ukraine, calling Russia's incursion "dangerous and destabilizing" and warning of "increasing costs for Russia."

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Ukraine Defense Ministry: Truce Reached Over Crimea